Is this a common problem??

[Dainese Brave]

I've been reading about this fuel pump failure problem on the GS1200's....

I've had my GS Adventure for two years now....it's been to, amongst others, Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Albania and Bulgaria....and never missed a beat.

But I took it for a quick spin into Switzerland for a week with my girlfriend, and all went well until half way into the trip, until when loading up in the morning from the hotel, we found the bike was covered with a light covering of frost from the chill of the night....and it just wouldn't start!!!!

Now I'm talking light frost here...not freezing cold!

It did eventually start with a bit of persuasion, but I was shocked that the faultless reliability was tainted.

However, ever since the bike has been running 'rough'......irratic tick-over and 'spluttery'.......is this a sign of imminent fuel pump failure, or just a minor niggle?

For reference, the bike was fully serviced before I left, and it was left on the side stand over night (I rarely do this) when it didn't start.

I haven't taken it back to the dealers yet, or mentioned it to them yet...but I will get them to look into it on the next service...and also mention the fuel pump failure issue!

Any information will be gratefully received!

Thanks all

 

[piskoGSA]

However, ever since the bike has been running 'rough'......irratic tick-over and 'spluttery'.......is this a sign of imminent fuel pump failure, or just a minor niggle?

For how long this has been going on ?

it was left on the side stand over night (I rarely do this) when it didn't start.

I reckon this is irrelevant

.........

 

[deaninkl]

get it straight back to your dealer, when the pump does go there is no fix apart from a new relay, so as its running rough you should get it looked at. If its still under warranty then its free anyway, if its not no point waiting till it packs up. I leave my bike on the side stand for days at a time as well as center stand, never had problems with either, and frankly that can not be a valid reason for any failure.

If you do a search you'll find the fuel pump issue is well covered and well known to dealers, you'll be as surprised as the rest of us that BMW can't find a fix for it.

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

I think the only issue with side-stand vs centre stand in respect of the fuel pump* is whether it allows more rain into the cavity in which the fuel pump controller sits.

When mine failed, it didn't fail completely first go - it was intermittent for a few days, getting gradually worse. However, I wouldn't have said it was "running rough" at all. It was either working or not working.

*I've read other threads about leaving the bike on the sidestand and the possibility of oil starvation othe right hand cylinder. That's a whole nother story.

 

[Gipsy]

Get it checked out. The computer diagnostics at the dealer will give the answer.

 

[Dainese Brave]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for the replies

To answer Pisko's question...it has been running 'rough' or irratically, for a couple of weeks of use, about a week during and since the trip, and a week whilst home.

As for the side-stand issue, I just wondered as Robin has said, if whilst on the side-stand it allows water to rest differently in all the 'nooks and crannies' than when on the centre stand possibly causing a problem?

I'll have it checked out as soon as possible....it's just out of warranty, so I guess if it is fuel pump failure I could be in for a hefty bill!! (where's that re-call when you need one!?!?)

Many thanks, Steve.

 

[John Armstrong]

Fuel pump controller, which is the bit that sems to be the most problematical bit in the fuel system (apart from Gordon / Alisatair's taxes) is about £80.

 

[Fanum]

It started with a 'little persuasion' , since when it's been running rough......


What, exactly, did you do/have done?

Was, for example, the tank lifted to get jump leads to the battery?
Was anything else done?

What was the element of 'persuasion?

I don't like coincidences

(PS check the TPS units...has one been knocked?)

 

[Dainese Brave]

Hi Fanum,

I have to admit to being a complete novice when it comes to motorbike mechanics…..I think it’s far better to leave it to those who really know what they are doing…….I also worry about travelling on a 120mph+ motorbike that I’ve been responsible of the service on!!!

So my extent of ‘tinkering’ or ‘persuasion’ normally results in all, or a variant, of the processes below;

1. Try to get it to work (doesn’t!)
2. Try it again (still doesn’t!)
3. Working on the ‘third time lucky’ principle…I try it again!
4. If 1-3 don’t work….then it’s a look for anything obvious/loose/broken.
5. If anything found...rectify/re-connect/arrange for replacements and replace.
6.If nothing is found on 4……resort to 1-3 again!!!
7. Give up and ring Dealer/relative or friend with mechanical knowledge/….or the AA!!!

So when it wouldn’t start, I basically tried to start it as normal, then with progressively more throttle. Then an inspection, but without removing the tank, then tried it again.

Eventually it started after about 20 minutes, after numerous attempts (and ‘inspections’!), with lots of throttle....and lots of cursing.

From then it has always run ‘rough’….but has always started.

I guessed it was obviously fuel related…but wondered if this was the first signs of the pump failure that I read about on here when I came back?

Thanks for all the info….it’s much appreciated.